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As they approached the river, the smoke grew thicker. But rising from the gray fog stood the white-stoned Craedenza, glowing like a beacon at the top of the hill. Clomping over the bridge, Markaeus knelt at the base.
“Here we are. This is where I hid the bag.”
Dropping to his knees, he groped deep into the weeds and withdrew a bag with unusual stitching. Ripping the bag open resulted in a loud rasping noise.
“What is that sound?” Vindrake inquired, leaning over to scrutinize the strange sack.
“It’s called Velcro,” the boy replied, offering no further explanation as he fumbled inside the bag. “Ah! Found it! Look, Master Vindrake!”
Vindrake’s heart raced at the thought of being reunited with his precious scroll.
He heard a strange hissing, just before wet fire engulfed his eyes.
**************
Arista hadn’t been gone long when Charles heard an eerie wail floating through the air and swirling around up from the valley. It sounded something like a wounded coyote. He stood up in the portal ent
rance for a better view through the wispy smoke down toward the river.
Perhaps the fire has spread into the forest on the other side, and the animals are being chased from their homes.
As the sound morphed to a scream of rage, Alora joined him in the doorway.
“Is that Markaeus?”
Alora pointed down the hill into the wispy smoke, and Charles squinted at the small dark figure moving closer at a rapid pace. The moon shone bright, causing a ghostly glow that looked like a light show in a dry ice fog during a rock concert.
“It’s him!” Alora cried. “Someone’s chasing him. Run, Markaeus!”
“He’s got my bag.” Relief flooded through Charles, like cool water in his veins. But it changed to fire at Alora’s next word.
“Vindrake,” Alora breathed the name like all the air had whooshed from her lungs, as she grappled the portal opening for balance. “It’s my father! He’s chasing Markaeus.”
“Hurry, Markaeus! Run faster!” Charles shouted.
The boy was close, but something trailed from one foot, forcing him to run with an awkward gait. Vindrake was gaining on him, but Markaeus could make it if he hurried.
And then it happened.
Markaeus tripped, crying out as he tumbled to the ground. Vindrake was close. Too close.
“I’ve got a knife! I’ll get Vindrake!” Alora yelled. “Take Markaeus and go!”
Alora disappeared before Charles could stop her.
Vindrake tumbled to the ground with Alora on top of him.
Is he dead? Is she dead?
Charles stared in disbelief as his worst nightmare unfolded before his eyes. Markaeus climbed to his feet and continued running toward the portal, a chain bouncing along the ground as it trailed behind his left leg.
Twenty yards away, Vindrake struggled to stand, grabbing the handle of the ceramic knife and ripping it out of his shoulder. With a howl of rage, he bent down and grabbed Alora’s wrist, dragging her limp body with him as he shuffled toward the place where Markaeus had fallen.
The place where Charles’ backpack lay waiting.
~17~
A loud bang threw Alora into unwilling consciousness. Her ears rang, muffling the sound of the man’s screams like she had water in her ears.
